Fire extinguishing and alarm apparatus



Jan. 7, .1936. E. A. LOWE .El' AL 2,027,051

FIRE' EXTINGUISHING AND ALARM APPARATUS FiledvSep't. 10, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Samoa WW1 5/6. Lowe J, 1?. Ham/750m Patented it 1, 1936 I UNITED STATES v 3 normal mm ax'rnvemsnmo nun amass l armm'rus 7 Ernest A. Lowe and John R. Hamilton, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, asslgnors to Automatic Sprinkler Company of America, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation oi Delaware Application September 10, 1930', Serial No. 480,900

a1 Claims. (01. 189-17) This invention relates to improvements in lire extinguishing and alarm apparatus.

It is a primary object or the invention to provide a system which will accommodate a very large number or fire zones from one main control valve while retaining the uniformity and accuracy in operation achieved in the smaller systema.

It is a further object to provide a system of this character in which supplemental control tubing is employed and wherein the supplemental tubing and main fluid distributing pipes are at 1 all times supervised so that any defect th -may be immediately noted.

Another object of the invention is to produce a more reliable and flexible system of protection free from th diiiiculties and objections found by experience to exist in those systems which like the present depend for their action upon the control of a thermostat in the fire zone exercised through a pressure responsive device at the place of operation of the main valve or other device through which the fire extinguishing medium is supplied to the flre zone by suitable piping.

To these ends the present invention comprises certain combinations of devices and elements assembled and cooperating in the manner hereinafter specified and claimed.

In our improved invention we employ a pressure responsive multiple diaphragm control for adetent release mechanism associated with a means for supplying the fire extinguishing agent to the piping or the various firezones which fire zones respectively are provided with thermal means for rendering said multiple diaphragms individually and respectively-operable independently of one another by a change or pressure all as will be more particularly hereinafter described.

More specific objects relate to the improved ;type 01' control valve, heat absorbing elements and other control devices employed to make certain the operation of the main control valve fire occurs. closure is latched or held down in closed or nor- Fig. 4 is a similar view illustrating one oi the heat absorbing elements.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a detail 01' construction embodying a latch lever and welght- 'ed release lever released by movement of the 5 latch lever in either direction due to increase or decrease of pressure within the control tubing.

Referring to the details of the drawings we have illustrated at l a conventional source 01' fluid supply such as a water supply. main provided 10 with a manual gate valve 5. A main control valve 6 is employed for supplying fire extinguishing fluid-water for example, to the main dis-.

' tributing pipe 8 and branch lines it. The branch distributing plpes l0 lead to the various fire zones 16 and are provided with normally closed sprinkler outlets I2 .01 any desired type and employing tor instance a iusible metallic link I: for causing the opening of the sprinkler outlets onftheoccurrence of certain predetermined temperature con- .29 ditions' adjacent the outlets.

The 'control valve 6 is preferably of the type wherein the main valve closure IE or other device is normally held closed by mechanical means 1 adapted to be tripped to'release the valve when 25 In the construction shown said valve mal position by means of a latch l6 mounted and operated as will be presently described. The closure is a part 01, or suitably attached to,-a 9 clapper III which is pivotally mounted as at 2i preferably within the valve body. The clapper 20 is employed as an air clapper to prevent the escape of air under pressure from the distributing pipes while the system is inanormal -unoperated condition. To this end it is provided with a special design of flexible valve lacing as indicated at 24, this lacing being U-shaped in cross section and opening outwardly whereby the up- 40 per side of the U is received within a pocket or circular recess in the-valve clapper 20 and the lower flexible or extensible side oi! the U receives the pressure of the'fiuid such as air from the distributing pipe bears against the stationary 4 valve seat 26. Pressure of the air or other fluid enteringthe open side of the facing tends to expand the lower side or flexible edge oi the U against the valve seat 26 and prevent loss of any of gasket l1 and to act thereon to press said flexible edge down firmly upon the valve seat.

The latch I6 is carried by a weighted operating arm 36 pivoted at 26 at any suitable point and a sealing gasket 32 on the arm 36, of substantially the type indicated at 24 is provided for closing the opening 33 through which the arm extends when the latch is in unlatched condition.

In this position the pressure of water in the 'chamber I5 serves to compress the lower side of the U against the valve seat surrounding the opening 33 and prevent loss of water and water pressure when the apparatus is in operation.

The weighted lever 30 is normally retained in its latching position with the valve l4 closed by means of a pivoted lever 34 pivotally supported from a wall 36 of a compensating chamber 36 to be presently described. Said lever 34 is mounted within one or more flexible rubber bushings 36 supported on the wall of the chamber, said flexible members being of proper construction to seal said compensating chamber at the points of attachment thereto and prevent escape of air therefrom. A lug or detent 30' on the end of the weighted lever 30 engages normally with a shoulder or detent on the end of lever 34 but when the lever 34 is depressed the arm 33 is disengaged and drops under the influence of its weight so as to release detent l6; Other sealing devices may be substituted for the member 36' shown. The lever 34 suitably connected with or within the compensating chamber 36 is formed with or has attached thereto an elongated transversely extending bar 46 located in position to be engaged by any one of a plurality of weighted release levers 42, one of which corresponds to each of the various fire zones.

Each separate fire zone or group of a few fire zones is provided with an individual control system comprising supplemental tubing 44, hollow heat absorbing elements 46, (one ormore) connected with the tubing, diaphragm casing 41 to which the tubing is joined and a flexible diaphragm 46 connected to a latch lever 50 by means of link 5| for controlling its individual weighted release lever 42. The casings 41 and diaphragms 46 are positioned in the chamber 36 in which a' specific pressure condition is maintained, each supplemental tube being provided with a restricted opening 49 employed for thepurpose of equalizing the pressure in the various tubes and chamber 36 and accommodating slow increases or decreases of pressure in the chamber 36 or supplemental tubes 44 and heat absorbing elements 46 where such changes are of a character that does not indicate the presence of a fire condition. The latch levers 56 employed for controlling the levers 42 are provided as shown more particularly in a perspective in Fig. 5 with rightangular extensions 52 engaging with a horizontal extension comprising a lug or detent 42' on lever 42 (Fig. 2) so that either an increase or decrease of pressure within the. tubing 44 and casings 41, relatively to the pressure in chamber 36. will release the levers 42 and ultimately open the main control valve.

The heat absorbing elements 46 for producing the pressure to actuate the diaphragms 46 of each of the individual control units is provided with devices actuated on the occurrence of relatively low but abnormal heat condition for uncovering a relief opening through which the air or gas under the maintained tension in the container, comprising the heat absorbing elements and/or tubing associated therewith, may freely escape. If, as in the present embodiment, the maintained tension is greater than atmospheric pressure the free escape of the air through the relief opening will allow the double-acting detent 52 to rise and free the corresponding lever 42. v

- The automatic uncovering of this opening by a change of temperature may be accomplished in various ways. In the present instance the result is attained by providing on the element 46 (Fig. 4) a tubular extension 54 which may be normally closed by means of the cup-shaped member 56 which contains a quantity of fusible material 51 which normally retains the cup and material in position to close the interior of the units 46 from the outside air. Torsion springs 56 are atattached to the body of the elements 46 and engaged with the cups 56, the springs being tensioned slightly when the cups are in their normal positions so that when the material 51 fuses the cup and the main body of the material 51 will be drawn clear of the projection 54 of the heat unit to permit equalization with the outside air and the subjection of the interior of the tubing to atmospheric pressure with the consequent unlatching of a lever 42 and the opening of the main control valve. The members 56 are in effect flags or signals to indicate at a glance whether the tubing is sealed or opened to the atmosphere at these points, the open position of the members, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4, being readily distinguished from the closed position.

In order that an attendant may be notified of the operation of any of the levers 42 an annunciator is employed which is provided with an operating coil and a visual element or flag for each lever 42. As shown the annunciators each include a setting coil 66 (Fig. 2) and a visual signal element 62. The circuits to the coils 66 include the battery or other source of current supply 63, switch contact member 64, operated by the levers when the latter fall, and if desired an alarm bell, as shown, actuated when any coil 66 is energized.

. Likewise when the main control latch lever 36 is released and drops down to position to release the valve closure H the weighted lever engages a switch 66 for closing the circuit to an alarm 66 to indicate at any time the release of the lever 36.

The system contemplates the complete supervision of the supplemental tubing 44 and distributing pipes 6 and III. A pressure condition slightly different from atmospheric condition is therefore maintained in the main distributing pipes and supplemental tubing. As shown the interiors of the chamber 36 and distributing pipes 6 are connected by tubing 16 and 12 to the pressure supply pipe 14, one way valves H and 13 being provided for the tubes 10 and 12 to prevent the escape of air or water pressure from the chamber or pipes into one another or back into the supply tube 14. The specific devices shown maintain air pressure in the supplemental tubes wherein air and liquid separate by gravity and the-other leg I9 of which constitutes a vertical liquid column for supplyingthe desired pressure in the system; Air is added to the chamber "I8 by means of the inspirator 89 which receives liquid through the small pipe 92 controlled by the valve 83. The flow of water through the restricted portion of the lnspirator 89 draws air through the tube 84 and one-way valve 85 into the chamber I8 where the air and water separate by gravity and the water level in the leg I8 is gradually reduced and the pressure correspondingly increased.

The automatic action of the inspirator or pump is brought about in the present instance by the following devices .which cause'the normally closed valve 83 to be opened when the pressure in the system decreases to a predetermined extent.

The stem 89 of the valve 83, sealed by the diaphragm 89a or otherwise, Is controlled by the pivoted lever 99 formed withv projections 9I engageable by a weighted .pivoted lever 92 when the latter is moved respectively to one side or the .other of its pivot. The connection between the lever 99 and valve stem 89 may be a pin and slot connection in order to give a sudden movement to the valve 83. I

The weighted lever 92 is controlled in its movement by the pressure within the chamber I8, pipes I4, etc. which pressure is transmitted through suitable tub. .g 93 to the flexible diaphragm 94 connected to one end of a pivoted weighted lever 95-formed with a projecting arm connected by a suitable link to the lever 92 so that corresponding movements of the lever 95 are transferred to the levers 92 and 99.

It will be understood that a decrease or in-' crease in pressure in the chamber I8 and tubes I4 connected to the distributing piping and supplemental tubing will be transmitted to the diaphragm 94 for controlling the position of the levers 95, 92 and 99. Ona decrease of pressure within the diaphragm 94 the lever 95 is rocked in a clockwise direction thus moving the lever 92 counterclockwise, the lever .92 engaging lever 99 at the left side oifits pivot and opening valve 88 to cause the actuation of the inspirator. The reverse actiontakes place on an increase of pressure thus resulting in a closure of the valve 83.

pressure communicated thereto from the pipe 93 and which collapses when the pressure falls below that for causing the actuation of the bellows 94 and lever 95. The diaphragm 98 engages with a projection on the weighted lever 91 for causing the latter to fall on decrease of pressure sufilcient to collapse bellows 96. Lever 91 is arranged to strike and open valve 99 for admitting water from the pipe 82 to the branch pipe 99 for actuating the water motor alarm I99.

' It is desirable to notify the attendant at any time the main gate valve 5 is closed. This may be accomplished in the embodiment shown by providing the manual operating member I92, employed for controlling the main gate valve, with a projection I93 engageable with the free end of a pivoted lever I94-for opening the valve I95 whenever the control wheel I92 is turned to 5 the right to close the gate valve. Valve I95 is normally held closed by the water pressure and when opened it'is retained in this position by means of the latch lever I98 until manually released. Water is thus admitted from the water 10 main 4 through the tube I98 for actuating the water motor alarm I99.

It is desirable also to give an alarm whenever the main control valve 8 is open. This may-m accomplished by means 01' pipe H2 leading from 15 valve chamber I5 to the fire gong or alarm II9 as shown.

By means of the above described devices we have provided a system wherein on the occur rence of a normal fire and the development of 29 heat and pressure at the elements 48 one or more of the weighted levers 42, individual to each fire zone, are released causing the opening of the I main valve and the creation of an alarm. Since each control unit is individual to each fire zone 25 the thermostatic action is positive in that none of the actuating pressure can pass to other control pipes or chambers connected therewith except by way of the restricted leaks provided to accommodate small pressure changes. If the heat devel- 30 are withdrawn from the elements 46 due to the fusing of the material 51 and atmospheric pressure is admitted to the supplemental tubing. This causes a substantial change in pressure in the tubes 44 and the immediate inward movement of a diaphragm 48 resulting in the release of the main valve closure l4. Fire extinguishing fluid is thus made available at the outlets I2 in advance of the opening of the sprinkler outlets. In any event water damage is avoided except on the occurrence of an actual fire due to the use of fuse controlled outlets. If at any time a rup- 5o ture occurs in the supplemental tubing or main distributing pipes such that the inspirator cannot maintain the desired pressure therein this is made evident by the ringing of the alarm I99 so that the attendant is notified to correct the defect.

While in the foregoing specification we have referred to the supervisory pressure in the piping 8, I9, tubing 44, and .heat absorbing devices 48 60 as a plus pressure, that is, a pressure above atmosphere, it will be obvious to those familiar with this art that means may be provided for maintaining a minus pressure, that is, below atmosphere, in the said piping, tubing and heat devices, 5 the said minus pressure being used as the supervisory means. We accordingly desire to be limited in this respect only by the confines of the following claims.

Having now described our invention, we claim: 70

1. In a fire extinguishing system, a system of fire extinguishing fluid distributing pipes, release means for supplying fire extinguishing fluid to said pipes, temperature responsive devices for actuating said release means, said devices in- 75 eluding a heat absorbing pressure producing element in a fire zone, an element responsive to pressure changes operatively associated with said release means and with said heat absorbing element and means responsive to a predetermined heat condition for permitting the equalization with atmosphere or any pressure in said elements.

2. In a me extinguishing system, a system or fire extinguishing fluid distributing pipes, release means for supplying fire extinguishing fluid to said pipes, temperature responsive devices for actuating said release means, said devices including a heat absorbing pressure producing element ina fire zone, an element responsive to an increase or decrease or pressure and operatively associated with said release means and with said heat absorbing element and means responsive to a predetermined heat condition for permitting the free passage of pressure between said devices and an outside space. a

3. In a fire extinguishing system, a systemof fire extinguishing fluid distributing pipes, release means for supplying fire extinguishing fluid to said pipes, temperature responsive devices for actuating said release means, said devices including a heat absorbing pressure producing element in a fire zone, an element responsive to an increase or decrease of pressure and operatively associated with said release means and with said heat absorbing element, means for normally maintaining a pressure other than atmospheric pressure in said heat absorbing element and pressure responsive element and means responsive to a predetermined heat condition for permitting the free passage 01 pressure between said devices and an outside space.

4. In a fire extinguishing system, fluid supply means, release means for supplying fluid to said fluid supply means, a system of tubing provided with pressure producing devices in a fire zone, pressure responsive devices operating said release means on a relatively sudden occurrence either of atmospheric pressure or or pressure substantially greater than atmospheric pressure in said tubing, means for normally maintaining in said tubing a pressure other than atmospheric pressure and means in said fire zone, responsive to a predetermined heat condition for suddenly subjecting said tubing to atmospheric pressure and actuating said fluid supply means thereby.

5- In a fire extinguishing system, fluid supply a means, release means for supplying fluid to said fluid supply means, a system of tubing provided with pressure producing devices in a fire zone, and with pressure responsive devices operating said release means on occurrence of a relatively sudden increase or decrease or pressure in said tubing, means for normally maintaining in said tubing a pressure other than atmospheric pressure and supplemental means for suddenly changing the pressure in said tubing on the occurrence of a predetermined heat condition adjacent said pressure producing devices and actuating said fluid supply means thereby.

6. In a fire extinguishing system, a source of fluid supply, fluid distributing pipes extending to a fire zone, valve means for controlling the admission of fluid from said source to said pipes, a normally closed sprinkler outlet for said pipes operable on the occurrence of a relatively high heat condition in a fire zone, a system or supplemental tubing containing a pressure conveying fluid and normally subjected to the heat condition adjacent said outlet, a pressure responsive device controlled by the pressure generated by heating or the fluid in said tubing, means for maintaining pressure other than atmospheric pressure in said pipes and supplemental tubing, means actu-' ated by said pressure responsive device for actuating said main valve on an increase of pres- '5 sure in said tubing or on subjecting said supplemental tubing to atmospheric pressure, means responsive to the subjection of said pipes to atmospheric pressure for creating an alarm and means for subjecting said supplemental tubing to atmospheric pressure on the occurrence of an abnormal heat condition and less than that required to operate said sprinkler outlet.

7. In a flre extinguishing system, means for supplying fire extinguishing fluid thereto, control means therefor including a system of control tubing containing a fiuid under pressure other than atmospheric pressure and associated heat absorbing, pressure producing element and a pressure responsive device responsive to an increase or decrease or pressure and operatively associated with the control means, said heat absorbing element including a fusible closure for subjecting the interior of said element and tubing to atmospheric conditions on the occurrence of an abnormal heat condition.

8. In a system of the type described, control means responsive to changes or pressure in a confined body of air or gas greater than a predetermined rate when occurring through change of thermal conditions affecting said body or air or gas combined with means for venting the confined body 01 said air or gas upon the attainment of a fixed temperature irrespective of the rate of change.

9. The combination with a fire extinguishing apparatus, of a control means comprising a flexible member and a detent' device operating by either an increase or a decrease of pressure on said flexible member, a pressure conveying tube con- 0 taining a confined body or pressure conveying fluid at other than atmospheric pressure and adapted to convey pressure to said member, heat collecting chambers or containers connected with said tube, a restricted compensating vent and 088- ing in communication with a face of said flexible member opposite that on which pressure in said tube acts, said vent being connected to said casing for predetermining an efiective rate 01' increase of pressure that will be effective to operate 60 by increase of pressure on said flexible member upon change of temperature afiecting the heat condition or the confined body or air or gas and means responsive to increase of temperature to a flxed or ultimate degree irrespective of the rate change or temperature for opening a vent for the confined body of air or gas to actuate said control means.

10. The combination with air or gas tubing and a heat collecting chamber connecting therewith for producing increase of pressure in said tubing,

01 a fuse controlled seal for said chamber adapted to vent the same on the attainment of a prede termined or ultimate temperature.

11. In a system of the type described, thermally responsive controlling means comprising a container or air or gas maintained at a definite pressure, pressure operated means capable of operating on decrease in pressure and responsive to a change of the pressure of said air or gas at a predetermined rate 01 increase produced by heating of the air or gas and means for venting said container and thermally controlled and operating automatically upon the attainment oi a fixed or definite temperature attained irrespective of or gas and means for venting said chamber and thermally controlled and operating automatically upon the attainment of a fixed or definite temperature attained irrespective of the rate of rise thereof to permit the free entry or escape of air.

13. In a system of the type described, thermally responsive controlling means comprising a container of air or gas maintained at a predetermined pressure greater than that of the atmosphere, pressure operated means responsive to change of said pressure, a double acting detent responsive to either an increase .of said pressure produced by heat or to a decrease and means thermally controlled for venting said container.

14. In a system of the type described, thermally responsive controlling means comprising a I container of air or gas maintained at a definite pressure, pressure operated means responsive to a change-of the pressure of said air or gas at a predetermined rate of increase produced by heating of the air or gas and an automatic fuse controlled vent operating upon the attainment of a fixed or definite temperature attained'irrespective of the rate of rise of temperature to permit the free entry or escape of air.

15. In a fire extinguishing systemfor a plurality. of fire zones, distributing piping for distributing fluid to the fire zones. outlets for said piping, means for controlling the admission of fluid to said piping, a plurality of individual control devices for controlling said means and each including a temperature responsive pressure producing element in a fire zone, a pressure responsive element and a release element actuated thereby, a closed casing enclosing all of said release elements and pressure responsive elements, restricted means for causing said pressure refsponsive elements to communicate with the interior of said ca'sing'and means for operating said fluid controlling means on actuation of any of said release elements.

16. In a fire extinguishing system for a plurality of fire zones, distributing piping for distributing fluid to the fire zones, outlets for said piping, means for controlling the admission of fluid to said piping, a plurality of individual con- .trol devices for controlling said means and each including a temperature responsive pressure producing element in a fire zone, a pressure responsive element and a release element actuated rality of fire zones, distributing pipes for conducting fluid to said fire zones, a control unit for each fire zone, each unit including a pressure producing and a pressure responsive element, connected by tubing. means actuated by said .pressure responsive element of any of said units for controlling the flow of fluid to said pipes,- a 5 pressure chamber and restricted means of com- I munication extending from the interior of each of said units to said chamber.

18. In a fire extinguishing system for a plurality of fire zones, means for controlling the admission of fluid to the various zones, said means'comprising a plurality of units, each unit including a pressure producing element in a separate fire zone, a pressure responsive device formed with a pressure operated movable element having opposed faces with one of said faces communicating by tubing with said pressure producing element, an individual release member associated with each of said movable elements, means for normally maintaining pressure against 20 both faces .of said movable element, restricted means for equalizing the pressure on the opposite faces of said movable elements and means [controlled by any of said individual release members for supplying fluid to said system.

19. In a fire extinguishing apparatus the combination of means for supplying fire extinguishing medium of a weighted control latch lever therefor, a retaining device normally maintaining said latch lever in latching position, a series of weighted release levers each adapted when 1 released to engage and actuate said retaining device for the purpose of freeing said latch lever, individual pressure responsive diaphragms adaptedto control and release said release levers respectively and individual and independent pressure conveying tubing for conveying pressure operating on said diaphragms, said tubings being respectively connected to thermally responsive pressure producing devices located in 40 different fire zones and said tubings for different zones each extending into a,zone different from those into which the other tubings extend and terminating in a common air inclosure wherein it is provided with a restricted leak and 45 adapted eachto create a diiference of pressure on each individual diaphragm without substantial interference in its action from the presence of other diaphragms.

20. In a fire extinguishing system for a plurality of fire zones, distributing pipes for distributing fire extinguishing fluid to said zones, supply means common to said zones for supplying said fluid thereto, temperature responsive means for. controlling said supply means, said 55 temperature responsive means consisting of a plurality of units each formed with a heat absorbing pressure varying element in a flre zone different from the fire zones for other units, a pressure responsive element for each unit 00 responding to air pressure conveyed thereto through tubing, connections independent of and disconnected from the tubing for other units so that the'change of pressure generated in the tubing of any unit will not be dissipated in the tubings for other of said units, a release lever for each unit and a common release means actuated in response to the actuation of any of said release levers for bringing said supply means into 70 action.

21. The combination with a fire extinguishing apparatus, of a control device responsive to either an increase or decrease of pressure in a confined A body of air or gas including heat collecting means 7 theoperaticnottbesamebyincreaseotprestherauotziaeorpmurebythermnactinn. ure being on the principle of rate of rise of l v fl l beinl OWN- V Pr u wflon of pressure thermally produced by ma but 001- tho control device by decrease of presume. lectin: means and means for venting the con- IRNI'SI A. LOWE.

iinodbodyoi'air ormonthesttainmentot: 5 iixed ou'ultimm tunpentm'esndirmpectinot JOHN R. HAMILTON. 

